Electronic system for resource origination tracking

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for resource origination tracking, the invention including: electronically receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a digital resource and a set of distribution rules associated with the digital resource; creating an NFT associated with the digital resource; predicting, via a machine learning engine, a value of the NFT; electronically receiving, from a second user device associated with a second user, a request to complete a resource transfer; transferring ownership of the NFT associated with the digital resource from the current owner to the second user; and transmitting, to a managing entity system, instructions to transfer, from an account associated with the second user, a first amount of financial resources to an account associated with the current owner and a second amount of financial resources to an account associated with the first user.

BACKGROUND

A growing trend for owners and creators of digital resources such asmusic, art, books, movies, and the like is the creation of non-fungibletokens, or NFTs, which are unique digital identifiers stored on adistributed ledger. An NFT may be used to attribute ownership andcertify authenticity for the digital resource and may be bought, sold,gifted, traded, or otherwise transferred from one owner to another. Whenan NFT is transferred to a new owner, the original owner may wish tomaintain some control over the usage and distribution of the digitalresource, as well as receive some portion of the sale price of anysubsequent transfers of ownership. As such, a need exists for a systemwhich allows digital resource owners to create, store, and manage thedistribution of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) associated with their digitalresources.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of suchembodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computerprogram products for resource origination tracking, the inventionincluding: electronically receiving, from a first user device associatedwith a first user, a digital resource and a set of distribution rulesassociated with the digital resource; creating an NFT associated withthe digital resource; predicting, via a machine learning engine, a valueof the NFT; electronically receiving, from a second user deviceassociated with a second user, a request to complete a resourcetransfer, where the request includes an identification of the digitalresource and an identification of a current owner of the NFT associatedwith the digital resource; transferring ownership of the NFT associatedwith the digital resource from the current owner to the second user; andtransmitting, to a managing entity system, instructions to transfer,from an account associated with the second user, a first amount offinancial resources to an account associated with the current owner anda second amount of financial resources to an account associated with thefirst user, where the combination of the first amount and the secondamount is equal to the value of the NFT.

In some embodiments, the invention further includes storing the NFT on adistributed ledger.

In some embodiments, the set of distribution rules includes apredetermined percentage of the value of the NFT, and the second amountof financial resources transferred to the account associated with thefirst user includes the predetermined percentage of the value of theNFT.

In some embodiments, the set of distribution rules includes a transferlimitation of a number of times that ownership of the NFT may betransferred to a new user.

In some embodiments, the invention further includes determining that theresource transfer will not cause the number of transfers of ownership ofthe NFT to exceed the transfer limitation.

In some embodiments, predicting, via the machine learning engine, thevalue of the NFT includes applying one or more machine learningalgorithms to a plurality of historical data.

In some embodiments, predicting, via the machine learning engine, thevalue of the NFT further includes calculating a level of similaritybetween the NFT and a plurality of other NFTs comprised in thehistorical data.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may beachieved independently in various embodiments of the present inventionor may be combined with yet other embodiments, further details of whichcan be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an operating environment for the resource trackingsystem, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the resource tracking system, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a user device associated with theremote consensus, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process using the resourcetracking system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating another process using the resourcetracking system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to elements throughout. Wherepossible, any terms expressed in the singular form herein are meant toalso include the plural form and vice versa, unless explicitly statedotherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “a” and/or “an” shall mean“one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” is also used herein.

“Entity” or “managing entity” as used herein may refer to anyorganization, entity, or the like in the business of moving, investing,or lending money, dealing in financial instruments, or providingfinancial services. This may include commercial banks, thrifts, federaland state savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,investment companies, insurance companies and the like. In someembodiments, the entity may allow a user to establish an account withthe entity. An “account” may be the relationship that the user has withthe entity. Examples of accounts include a deposit account, such as atransactional account (e.g., a banking account), a savings account, aninvestment account, a money market account, a time deposit, a demanddeposit, a pre-paid account, a credit account, or the like. The accountis associated with and/or maintained by the entity. In otherembodiments, an entity may not be a financial institution. In stillother embodiments, the entity may be the merchant itself.

“Entity system” or “managing entity system” as used herein may refer tothe computing systems, devices, software, applications, communicationshardware, and/or other resources used by the entity to perform thefunctions as described herein. Accordingly, the entity system maycomprise desktop computers, laptop computers, servers,Internet-of-Things (“IoT”) devices, networked terminals, mobilesmartphones, smart devices (e.g., smart watches), network connections,and/or other types of computing systems or devices and/or peripheralsalong with their associated applications.

“User” as used herein may refer to an individual associated with anentity. As such, in some embodiments, the user may be an individualhaving past relationships, current relationships or potential futurerelationships with an entity. In some embodiments, a user may be anemployee (e.g., an associate, a manager, an administrator, or the like)of the entity or enterprises affiliated with the entity, capable ofoperating the systems described herein. In some instances, a “user” isan individual who has a relationship with the entity, such as a customeror a prospective customer. In other embodiments, a user may be a systemperforming one or more tasks described herein. “Group” as used hereinmay refer to any plurality of users as defined herein that havecollective oversight into one or more accounts or resource instrumentsassociated with said accounts. In some instances, a “group” is aplurality of individuals selected by a user to be granted access to thefeatures and functions of the system claimed herein. In some instances,a “group” consists of members of an organization or entity of which auser is also associated. A “group member” may be any one individualassociated with a group. Members of a group may all have equal accessand insight into an account and/or resource instrument or may be grantedvarying levels of permission according to a user associated with saidaccount or resource instrument.

Accordingly, as used herein the term “user device” or “mobile device”may refer to mobile phones, personal computing devices, tabletcomputers, wearable devices, and/or any portable electronic devicecapable of receiving and/or storing data therein.

It should also be understood that “operatively coupled,” as used herein,means that the components may be formed integrally with each other, ormay be formed separately and coupled together. Furthermore, “operativelycoupled” means that the components may be formed directly to each other,or to each other with one or more components located between thecomponents that are operatively coupled together. Furthermore,“operatively coupled” may mean that the components are detachable fromeach other, or that they are permanently coupled together. Furthermore,operatively coupled components may mean that the components retain atleast some freedom of movement in one or more directions or may berotated about an axis (i.e., rotationally coupled, pivotally coupled).Furthermore, “operatively coupled” may mean that components may beelectronically connected and/or in fluid communication with one another.

As used herein, an “interaction” may refer to any communication betweenone or more users, one or more entities or institutions, and/or one ormore devices, nodes, clusters, or systems within the system environmentdescribed herein. For example, an interaction may refer to a transfer ofdata between devices, an accessing of stored data by one or more nodesof a computing cluster, a transmission of a requested task, or the like.

As used herein, a “resource” may generally refer to objects, products,devices, goods, commodities, services, and the like, and/or the abilityand opportunity to access and use the same. Some exemplaryimplementations herein contemplate a market value of a property held bya user, including property that is stored and/or maintained by athird-party entity. For purposes of this invention, a resource istypically stored in a resource repository—a storage location where oneor more resources are organized, stored, and retrieved electronicallyusing a computing device.

As used herein, a “resource transfer” or “transaction” may refer to anytransaction, activities, or communication between one or more entities,or between the user and the one or more entities. A resource transfermay refer to any distribution of resources such as, but not limited to,a payment, processing of funds, purchase of goods or services, a returnof goods or services, a payment transaction, a credit transaction, orother interactions involving a user's resource or account. In thecontext of an entity such as a financial institution, a resourcetransfer may refer to one or more of: a sale of goods and/or services, auser accessing their e-wallet, or any other interaction involving theuser and/or the user's device that invokes or is detectable by thefinancial institution. In some embodiments, the user may authorize aresource transfer using at least a payment instrument (credit cards,debit cards, checks, digital wallets, currency, loyalty points), and/orpayment credentials (account numbers, payment instrument identifiers).Unless specifically limited by the context, a “resource transfer” a“transaction”, “transaction event” or “point of transaction event” mayrefer to any activity between a user, a merchant, an entity, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, a resource transfer ortransaction may refer to financial transactions involving direct orindirect movement of funds through traditional paper transactionprocessing systems (i.e. paper check processing) or through electronictransaction processing systems.

The system described herein allows the owner of one or more digitalresources to create, store, and manage non-fungible tokens (NFTs)associated with said resources. The system allows a resource owner toset custom distribution rules for each NFT, providing the owner with theability to control which users the NFT can be sold or transferred to.Resource owners may also either prevent subsequent “resales” of the NFTor set a custom percentage of each subsequent resale payment to receive.Furthermore, the system utilizes a machine learning engine tocontinuously update an expected value of an NFT based on historical NFTtransfer data. This functionality allows both resource owners andpotential NFT buyers to monitor the value of an NFT over time, as wellas compare multiple NFTs available for purchase in an online resource“library” hosted on an application installed on a user device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an operating environment 100 for the resourcetracking system, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated, the operating environment 100 may comprise aplurality of users 102 and/or a plurality of user devices 104 inoperative communication with the resource tracking system 200 and/or oneor more managing entity system(s) 300. The operative communication mayoccur via a network 101 as depicted, or in some embodiments the user 102may be physically present at a location associated with the resourcetracking system, such as a computer terminal. The operating environmentmay also include other systems/devices not illustrated herein andconnected via a network 101. As such, the users 102 may request,authorize, and complete resource transfers by establishing operativecommunication channels between a plurality of user devices 104associated with each of the users 102, the managing entity system(s)300, and the resource tracking system 200 via a wireless network 101. Insome embodiments, the user 102 may use an associated user device 104 tocomplete a resource transfer by interfacing directly with the resourcetracking system 200, which may then establish operative communicationwith the managing entity system(s) 300 and another user device 104 via awireless network in order to execute the resource transfer.

Typically, the resource tracking system 200 and the plurality of userdevices 104 are in operative communication with the managing entitysystem 300 via the network 101, which may be the internet, an intranetor the like. In FIG. 1 , the network 101 may include a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a global area network (GAN),and/or near field communication (NFC) network. The network 101 mayprovide for wireline, wireless, or a combination of wireline andwireless communication between devices in the network. In someembodiments, the network 101 includes the Internet. In some embodiments,the network 101 may include a wireless telephone network. Furthermore,the network 101 may comprise wireless communication networks toestablish wireless communication channels such as a contactlesscommunication channel and a near field communication (NFC) channel (forexample, in the instances where communication channels are establishedbetween a plurality of user devices 104). In this regard, the wirelesscommunication channel may further comprise near field communication(NFC), communication via radio waves, communication through theinternet, communication via electromagnetic waves and the like.

The user device(s) 104 may comprise a mobile communication device, suchas a cellular telecommunications device (i.e., a smart phone or mobilephone), a computing device such as a laptop computer, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile internet accessing device, or other mobiledevice including, but not limited to portable digital assistants (PDAs),pagers, mobile televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras,video recorders, audio/video player, radio, GPS devices, any combinationof the aforementioned, or the like. The user device(s) are described ingreater detail with respect to FIG. 3 .

The managing entity system 300 may comprise a communication module andmemory not illustrated and may be configured to establish operativecommunication channels with the resource tracking system 200 and/or theplurality of user devices 104 via a network 101. The managing entitysystem 300 may comprise a user data repository which stores user accountdata. This data may be used by the managing entity to facilitateresource transfers between the plurality of users 102 and associateduser devices 104. In some embodiments, the managing entity system is inoperative communication with the resource tracking system 200 via aprivate communication channel. The private communication channel may bevia a network 101 or the resource tracking system 200 may be fullyintegrated within the managing entity system 300.

As will be discussed in greater detail in FIG. 4 , the managing entitysystem 300 may communicate with the resource tracking system 200 inorder to receive transfer authorization obtained from one or more of theplurality of users 102 by the resource tracking system 200. In someembodiments, the managing entity may utilize the features and functionsof the resource tracking system 200 to obtain approval to executeresource transfers initiated by the user 102. The managing entity mayalso utilize the features and functions of the resource tracking system200 to receive instructions relating to one or more actions to be takenwith respect to a user account after execution of a resource transfer.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the resource tracking system 200associated with the operating environment 100, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , theresource tracking system 200 may include a communication device 210, aprocessing device 220, and a memory device 230 having a predictionengine 270, a resource repository module 280, a processing systemapplication 250 and a processing system datastore 260 stored therein. Asshown, the processing device 220 is operatively connected to and isconfigured to control and cause the communication device 210 and thememory device 230 to perform one or more functions. In some embodiments,the resource repository module 280, the prediction engine 270 and/or theprocessing system application 250 comprise computer readableinstructions 240 that when executed by the processing device 220 causethe processing device 220 to perform one or more functions and/ortransmit control instructions to the managing entity system 300, theuser device(s) 104, and/or the communication device 210. It will beunderstood that the resource repository module 280, the predictionengine 270 and/or the processing system application 250 may beexecutable to initiate, perform, complete, and/or facilitate one or moreportions of any embodiments described and/or contemplated herein. Theresource repository module 280 may comprise executable instructionsassociated with storage and access of resources, as well as decisioningand logic related to resource repository actions including the creationof non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and may be embodied within the processingsystem application 250 in some instances. The features and functions ofthe resource repository module 280 are discussed in greater detail withrespect to FIG. 4 . The resource tracking system 200 may be owned by,operated by and/or affiliated with the same managing entity that owns oroperates the managing entity system 300. In some embodiments, theresource tracking system 200 is fully integrated within the managingentity system 300.

The prediction engine 270 may further comprise a datastore 271. Thedatastore 271 may store instructions and/or data that may cause orenable the resource tracking system 200 to receive, store, and/oranalyze data received by the managing entity system 300, the userdevice(s) 104, and/or other third party systems. The datastore mayreceive and store data and/or metadata to determine and/or updateresource values as is discussed in greater detail with regard to FIG. 4. The prediction engine 270 may also store instructions and/or data thatcause or enable the resource tracking system 200 to determine, inreal-time and based on received information, a value of a resource or anon-fungible token (NFT) associated with a resource stored in a resourcerepository of the resource repository module 280.

The prediction engine 270 may receive data from a plurality of sourcesand apply one or more machine learning algorithms to said data. Variousmachine learning algorithms may be used without departing from theinvention, such as supervised learning algorithms, unsupervised learningalgorithms, regression algorithms (e.g., linear regression, logisticregression, and the like), instance based algorithms (e.g., learningvector quantization, locally weighted learning, and the like),regularization algorithms (e.g., ridge regression, least-angleregression, and the like), decision tree algorithms, Bayesianalgorithms, clustering algorithms, artificial neural network algorithms,and the like. Additional or alternative machine learning algorithms maybe used without departing from the invention.

The prediction engine 270 may utilize the datastore 271 and said machinelearning algorithms to link two or more prediction factors (e.g. dataassociated with historical transfers of other resources or associatedNFTs (e.g. amounts, frequencies, associated third-party users orentities, details of “resells” or subsequent transfers, and/or thelike), a similarity score between resources or associated NFTs (i.e. anevaluation of resource type, resource content, resource author/owner,resource marketplace supply and/or demand, and/or the like), and/orother associated data (e.g. geographic data, time/date information, userinformation, and/or the like) to identify one or more patterns orsequences that may directly and/or indirectly aid in predicting a valueof a resource at a given time is discussed in greater detail withregards to FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the prediction engine 270 mayapply machine learning algorithms in an iterative manner, in order topredict future conditions which may affect the value of a resource. Forexample, the prediction engine 270 may predict, based on data associatedwith resources with a high similarity score, a particular entity or userwhich may request to purchase a particular NFT. The results of saidprediction may be used in turn to predict a value of the NFT.

The communication device 210 may generally include a modem, server,transceiver, and/or other devices for communicating with other deviceson the network 101. The communication device 210 may be a communicationinterface having one or more communication devices configured tocommunicate with one or more other devices on the network 101, such asthe plurality of user devices 104, the managing entity system 300 and/orother processing systems, data systems, and the like.

Additionally, referring to the resource tracking system 200 illustratedin FIG. 2 , the processing device 220 may generally refer to a device orcombination of devices having circuitry used for implementing thecommunication and/or logic functions of the data obfuscation system 200.For example, the processing device 220 may include a control unit, adigital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, and variousanalog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and othersupport circuits and/or combinations of the foregoing. Control andsignal processing functions of the data obfuscation system 200 may beallocated between these processing devices according to their respectivecapabilities. The processing device 220 may further includefunctionality to operate one or more software programs based oncomputer-executable program code 240 thereof, which may be stored in amemory device 230, such as the processing system application 250 and theprediction engine 270. As the phrase is used herein, a processing devicemay be “configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways,including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuitsperform the function by executing particular computer-executable programcode embodied in computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or moreapplication-specific circuits perform the function. The processingdevice 220 may be configured to use the network communication interfaceof the communication device 210 to transmit and/or receive data and/orcommands to and/or from the other devices/systems connected to thenetwork 101.

The memory device 250 within the resource tracking system 200 maygenerally refer to a device or combination of devices that store one ormore forms of computer-readable media for storing data and/orcomputer-executable program code/instructions. For example, the memorydevice 250 may include any computer memory that provides an actual orvirtual space to temporarily or permanently store data and/or commandsprovided to the processing device 220 when it carries out its functionsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of one of the one or more userdevices associated with the resource tracking system, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The user device 104 may include auser mobile device or the like. A “mobile device” 104 may be any mobilecommunication device, such as a cellular telecommunications device(i.e., a cell phone or mobile phone), personal digital assistant (PDA),a mobile Internet accessing device, or another mobile device including,but not limited to portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobiletelevisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders,audio/video player, radio, GPS devices, any combination of theaforementioned devices.

The user device 104 may generally include a processing device orprocessor 310 communicably coupled to devices such as, a memory device350, user output devices 340 (for example, a user display or a speaker),user input devices 330 (such as a microphone, keypad, touchpad, touchscreen, and the like), a communication device or network interfacedevice 360, a positioning system device 320, such as a geo-positioningsystem device like a GPS device, an accelerometer, and the like, one ormore chips, and the like.

The processor 310 may include functionality to operate one or moresoftware programs or applications, which may be stored in the memorydevice 320. For example, the processor 310 may be capable of operatingapplications such as a resource management application 323, a managingentity application 325, or a web browser application. The resourcemanagement application 323 may allow the user device 104 to transmit andreceive data and instructions to or from the resource tracking system200 and/or another user device 104. The managing entity application 325may allow the user device 104 to transmit and receive data to or fromthe managing entity system 300 (for example, via wireless communicationor NFC channels). The resource management application 323 may be fullyintegrated within the managing entity application 325 and may allow auser 102 to view a resource repository associated with the user and/orview one or more resource repositories associated with other users. Theuser may be able to view any information associated with a resource in aresource repository, including predicted values associated with saidresources and any distribution rules associated with said resources. Theresource management application may also allow a user 102 to viewpending resource transfers, approve or deny said transfers, and/oraccess other information relating to the features and functions of theresource tracking system 200.

The processor 310 may be configured to use the communication device 360to communicate with one or more devices on a network 101 such as, butnot limited to the resource tracking system 200, the managing entitysystem 300, and other user devices 104. In this regard the processor 310may be configured to provide signals to and receive signals from thecommunication device 360. The signals may include signaling informationin accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable BLEstandard, cellular system of the wireless telephone network and thelike, that may be part of the network 101. In this regard, the userdevice 104 may be configured to operate with one or more air interfacestandards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types.By way of illustration, the user device 104 may be configured to operatein accordance with any of a number of first, second, third, and/orfourth-generation communication protocols and/or the like. For example,the mobile device 104 may be configured to operate in accordance withsecond-generation (2G) wireless communication protocols IS-136 (timedivision multiple access (TDMA)), GSM (global system for mobilecommunication), and/or IS-95 (code division multiple access (CDMA)), orwith third-generation (3G) wireless communication protocols, such asUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000, widebandCDMA (WCDMA) and/or time division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), withfourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols, and/or thelike. The user device 104 may also be configured to operate inaccordance with non-cellular communication mechanisms, such as via awireless local area network (WLAN) or other communication/data networks.The user device 104 may also be configured to operate in accordanceBluetooth® low energy, audio frequency, ultrasound frequency, or othercommunication/data networks.

The communication device 360 may also include a user activity interfacepresented in user output devices 330 in order to allow a user 102 toexecute some or all of the processes described herein. The applicationinterface may have the ability to connect to and communicate with anexternal data storage on a separate system within the network 101. Theuser output devices 330 may include a display 332 (e.g., a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or the like) and a speaker 334 or other audiodevice, which are operatively coupled to the processor 310. The userinput devices 340, which may allow the user device 104 to receive datafrom a user 102, may include any of a number of devices allowing theuser device 104 to receive data, such as a keypad, keyboard,touch-screen, touchpad, microphone, mouse, joystick, other pointerdevice, button, soft key, and/or other input device(s).

The user device 104 may also include a memory buffer, cache memory ortemporary memory device 320 operatively coupled to the processor 310. Asused herein, memory may include any computer readable medium configuredto store data, code, or other information. The memory device 320 mayinclude volatile memory, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM)including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The memorydevice 320 may also include non-volatile memory, which can be embeddedand/or may be removable. The non-volatile memory may additionally oralternatively include an electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), flash memory or the like.

In some instances, various features and functions of the invention aredescribed herein with respect to a “system.” In some instances, thesystem may refer to the resource tracking system 200 performing one ormore steps described herein in conjunction with other devices andsystems, either automatically based on executing computer readableinstructions of the memory device 230, or in response to receivingcontrol instructions from the managing entity system 300. In someinstances, the system refers to the devices and systems on the operatingenvironment 100 of FIG. 1 . The features and functions of variousembodiments of the invention are be described below in further detail.It is understood that the servers, systems, and devices described hereinillustrate one embodiment of the invention. It is further understoodthat one or more of the servers, systems, and devices can be combined inother embodiments and still function in the same or similar way as theembodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 is a high-level process flow diagram illustrating a process usingthe resource tracking system, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The process begins at block 500, wherein theresource tracking system 200 electronically receives, from a resourcemanagement application of a user device associated with a user 102, oneor more digital resources. A digital resource may refer to any contentthat is stored digitally. This may include static resources such asphotos, images, files containing text, spreadsheets, or dynamicresources such as videos, music, and/or the like. Examples of resourcesprovided herein is exemplary and those of skill in the art willrecognize a digital resource can be any content, in any format, that isstored digitally and provides value to an entity (or to a user orconsumer).

Next, as shown in block 510, the process flow includes creating, via theresource management module, one or more non-fungible tokens (NFTs)associated with the one or more resources. An NFT is a unit of data usedas a unique digital identifier stored on a digital ledger that certifiesownership and authenticity of a digital artifact. NFTs cannot be copied,substituted, or subdivided. They are typically stored using distributedledger technology. As such, NFTs are stored in a distributed ledger—adatabase that is consensually shared and synchronized across multiplesites, institutions, or geographies, accessible by multiple people.Distributed ledgers use independent computers (referred to as nodes) torecord, share and synchronize transactions in their respectiveelectronic ledgers (instead of keeping data centralized as in atraditional ledger).

In some embodiments, NFTs are created when a distributed ledger (e.g.,blockchain) string records of cryptographic hash, a set of charactersthat verifies a set of data to be unique, onto previous recordstherefore creating a chain of identifiable data artifacts. Thiscryptographic transaction process ensures the authentication of eachdigital file by providing a digital signature that is used to track NFTownership. In some embodiments, NFTs are stored in “smart contracts,”which are automatically executable code that run on top of thedistributed ledger on which the NFT is recorded. In some embodiments,the smart contracts associated with the distributed ledger may be usedto attribute ownership and certify authenticity for the resource.

Next, as shown in block 520, the process flow includes storing the oneor more NFTs associated with the one or more resources on a distributedledger. In some embodiments, the user 102 may be able to use a resourcemanagement application to access and view stored resources andassociated information, including a set of distribution rules for theNFT associated with the resource and an expected value of the resourceor the NFT associated with the resource.

As shown in block 530, the system may receive, via the resourcemanagement application, new or updated sets of distribution rulesassociated with each NFT, which are input by the user. Distributionrules may impose restrictions or limitations on the sale or transfer ofan NFT associated with a resource, including but not limited torestrictions on the transfer amount (i.e. the transfer must be for atleast a predetermined amount of resources in exchange for the NFT, thetransfer must only occur when the value of the NFT has increased bypredetermined value, or the like), restrictions on a third-partyinvolved in the transfer (i.e. the third-party must be an individual andnot an entity, the third-party must be located in a particulargeographic region, or the like), restrictions on future use of the NFT(i.e. the NFT may not be resold, the NFT may only be resold at aparticular value, the NFT may not be altered, or the like), and/or anyother such restrictions. The distribution rules may also include anamount of the value of the NFT to be retained by the user upon futureuse of the NFT. For example, the distribution rules may require that theuser receives a certain percentage of the value of the NFT for eachtransfer or sale made after an initial transfer.

In some embodiments, the set of distribution rules may also comprise avisibility setting for each NFT in order to allow the resource or NFT tobe viewed by a user other than the original owner or creator. Avisibility setting may determine a user that can view the resource orNFT (i.e. only the original creator, only a preselected group of users,any user with a resource management application 323 installed on a userdevice, etc.) and may also determine a type of information associatedwith the NFT which is able to be viewed (i.e. a creation date, apredicted value, a number of viewers, etc.). For example, a visibilitysetting may allow a resource or NFT to be viewed by any user with aresource management application installed on a user device, but may onlyallow the predicted value of said resource or NFT to be viewed by theoriginal creator.

In some embodiments, the set of distribution rules may also compriseinstructions for determining a value of the NFT. For example, thedistribution rules may require the system to use a prediction engine tocalculate an expected value of the NFT, as is discussed in greaterdetail with respect to block 540. Additionally or alternatively, theinstructions may comprise a user-determined value of the NFT, or auser-determined base value. A user-determined base value may be thelowest value at which the NFT may be sold and may further compriseinstructions to auction the NFT to a highest bidder.

In some embodiments, as shown in block 540, the system may use theprediction engine to continuously or regularly update an expected valueof the resource or the NFT associated with the resource. The system maythen display the expected value on the resource management applicationof the user device. In some embodiments, the distribution rulesassociated with the resource or NFT may be dependent on the value of theresource or NFT at a given time. As discussed in greater detail withrespect to FIG. 2 , the prediction engine may use a plurality ofhistorical data received from user devices, managing entity systems,and/or other third-party systems to predict a resource or NFT value, andthe predicted value may be based on patterns or trends identified by thecombination of historical data and details of the particular resource orNFT, such as creation date, user/creator information, resource type,geographic data, and/or the like. For example, in some embodiments, theprediction engine may determine that a particular NFT closely resemblesa set of ten other NFTs associated with the same user. The predictionengine may then, based on the transaction details associated with thoseten NFTs, predict a value of the particular NFT if it were to be sold ata particular time. The prediction engine may provide an expected valuein real time, or may provide a plurality of expected values over alarger period of time (for example, an expected value in the presentmoment, an expected value after a year, and an expected value after fiveyears). The prediction engine may continuously update said expectedvalues in real time as historical data is gathered from the userdevices, managing entity systems, and/or other third-party systems.

FIG. 5 is a high-level process flow diagram illustrating another processusing the resource tracking system, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The process begins at block 600, wherein thesystem presents, via the resource management applications of a pluralityof user devices associated with a plurality of users, a digital“library” of resources, wherein each user of the plurality of users mayview a personal resource repository as well as view any resources inanother user's resource repository, in accordance with the visibilitysettings discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4 .

The process may then continue to block 610, wherein the resourcetracking system 200 receives a request, from a user device associatedwith a first user of the plurality of users, to complete a resourcetransfer with a second user of the plurality of users, wherein therequest for a resource transfer includes at least identification of anNFT to be transferred, and a payment amount of the transfer. In someembodiments, the first user may request to purchase the NFT from thesecond user. Additionally or alternatively, the first user may requestto sell, gift, or otherwise transfer the NFT to the second user. Thepayment amount of the transfer may be the current predicted value of theresource or NFT, may be any amount set by the first user, or maycomprise instructions to delay the resource transfer request until thepredicted value of the NFT reaches a predetermined threshold value.

The process may then continue to block 620, wherein the resourcetracking system 200 determines, based on the set of distribution rulesassociated with the NFT, whether to authorize the pending resourcetransfer. For example, if the distribution rules indicate that the NFTmay not be “resold” or involved in multiple transactions, the resourcetracking system may confirm that the NFT has never been involved in aprevious transaction before authorizing the resource transfer. Inanother example, if the distribution rules indicate that the NFT mayonly be transferred to a user from a pre-approved list of users, theresource tracking system may verify that the recipient user is one ofthe pre-approved users before authorizing the resource transfer.Additionally or alternatively, the resource tracking system maydetermine, when the NFT has been involved in previous transfers, that athird user (i.e. an original owner or creator of the resource) is notone of the two users involved in the pending transfer, but that thedistribution rules of the NFT require that the third user receives apercentage of the pending transfer.

In some embodiments, the process may then be completed in block 630,wherein the resource tracking system 200 authorizes the resourcetransfer, transfers ownership of the resource to the second user, andtransmits instructions to a managing entity system to transfer, from anaccount associated with the first user, an amount of financial resourcesto an account associated with the second user and/or an accountassociated with any other third user(s) identified by the resourcetracking system. For example, if the resource tracking system determinesin block 620 that an original creator of the resource (i.e. a thirduser) will receive 10% of each subsequent sale of the NFT, the systemmay instruct the managing entity system to transfer 90% of the value ofthe NFT to the second user and 10% of the value to the original creator.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the presentinvention may be embodied as an apparatus (including, for example, asystem, a machine, a device, a computer program product, and/or thelike), as a method (including, for example, a business process, acomputer-implemented process, and/or the like), or as any combination ofthe foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention maytake the form of an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, and the like), an entirely hardwareembodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspectsthat may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore,embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computerprogram product that includes a computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer-executable program code portions stored therein.

As the phrase is used herein, a processor may be “configured to” performa certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, byhaving one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function byexecuting particular computer-executable program code embodied incomputer-readable medium, and/or by having one or moreapplication-specific circuits perform the function.

It will be understood that any suitable computer-readable medium may beutilized. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limitedto, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a tangibleelectronic, magnetic, optical, infrared, electromagnetic, and/orsemiconductor system, apparatus, and/or device. For example, in someembodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes atangible medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM or Flash memory), a compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), and/or some other tangible optical and/ormagnetic storage device. In other embodiments of the present invention,however, the computer-readable medium may be transitory, such as apropagation signal including computer-executable program code portionsembodied therein.

It will also be understood that one or more computer-executable programcode portions for carrying out the specialized operations of the presentinvention may be required on the specialized computer includeobject-oriented, scripted, and/or unscripted programming languages, suchas, for example, Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, SQL, Python, Objective C,and/or the like. In some embodiments, the one or morecomputer-executable program code portions for carrying out operations ofembodiments of the present invention are written in conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languagesand/or similar programming languages. The computer program code mayalternatively or additionally be written in one or more multi-paradigmprogramming languages, such as, for example, F #.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with referenceto flowcharts and/or block diagrams. It will be understood that steps ofthe processes described herein may be performed in orders different thanthose illustrated in the flowcharts. In other words, the processesrepresented by the blocks of a flowchart may, in some embodiments, be inperformed in an order other that the order illustrated, may be combinedor divided, or may be performed simultaneously. It will also beunderstood that the blocks of the block diagrams illustrated, in someembodiments, merely conceptual delineations between systems and one ormore of the systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams may becombined or share hardware and/or software with another one or more ofthe systems illustrated by a block in the block diagrams. Likewise, adevice, system, apparatus, and/or the like may be made up of one or moredevices, systems, apparatuses, and/or the like. For example, where aprocessor is illustrated or described herein, the processor may be madeup of a plurality of microprocessors or other processing devices whichmay or may not be coupled to one another. Likewise, where a memory isillustrated or described herein, the memory may be made up of aplurality of memory devices which may or may not be coupled to oneanother.

It will also be understood that the one or more computer-executableprogram code portions may be stored in a transitory or non-transitorycomputer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, and the like) that can directa computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus tofunction in a particular manner, such that the computer-executableprogram code portions stored in the computer-readable medium produce anarticle of manufacture, including instruction mechanisms which implementthe steps and/or functions specified in the flowchart(s) and/or blockdiagram block(s).

The one or more computer-executable program code portions may also beloaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processingapparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on thecomputer and/or other programmable apparatus. In some embodiments, thisproduces a computer-implemented process such that the one or morecomputer-executable program code portions which execute on the computerand/or other programmable apparatus provide operational steps toimplement the steps specified in the flowchart(s) and/or the functionsspecified in the block diagram block(s). Alternatively,computer-implemented steps may be combined with operator and/orhuman-implemented steps in order to carry out an embodiment of thepresent invention.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of, and not restrictive on, the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other changes,combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition tothose set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications ofthe just described embodiments can be configured without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understoodthat, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may bepracticed other than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for resource origination tracking, thesystem comprising: at least one non-transitory storage device; and atleast one processing device coupled to the at least one non-transitorystorage device, wherein the at least one processing device is configuredto: electronically receive, from a first user device associated with afirst user, a digital resource and a set of distribution rulesassociated with the digital resource; create an NFT associated with thedigital resource; predict, via a machine learning engine, a value of theNFT; electronically receive, from a second user device associated with asecond user, a request to complete a resource transfer, wherein therequest comprises an identification of the digital resource and anidentification of a current owner of the NFT associated with the digitalresource; transfer ownership of the NFT associated with the digitalresource from the current owner to the second user; and transmit, to amanaging entity system, instructions to transfer, from an accountassociated with the second user, a first amount of financial resourcesto an account associated with the current owner and a second amount offinancial resources to an account associated with the first user,wherein the combination of the first amount and the second amount isequal to the value of the NFT.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one processing device is further configured to store the NFT on adistributed ledger.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the set ofdistribution rules comprises a predetermined percentage of the value ofthe NFT, and wherein the second amount of financial resourcestransferred to the account associated with the first user comprises thepredetermined percentage of the value of the NFT.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the set of distribution rules comprises a transfer limitationof a number of times that ownership of the NFT may be transferred to anew user.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the at least one processingdevice is further configured to determine that the resource transferwill not cause the number of transfers of ownership of the NFT to exceedthe transfer limitation.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein predicting,via the machine learning engine, the value of the NFT comprises applyingone or more machine learning algorithms to a plurality of historicaldata.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein predicting, via the machinelearning engine, the value of the NFT further comprises calculating alevel of similarity between the NFT and a plurality of other NFTscomprised in the historical data.
 8. A computer program product forresource origination, the computer program product comprising at leastone non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readableprogram code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable programcode portions comprising: an executable portion configured toelectronically receive, from a first user device associated with a firstuser, a digital resource and a set of distribution rules associated withthe digital resource; an executable portion configured to create an NFTassociated with the digital resource; an executable portion configuredto predict, via a machine learning engine, a value of the NFT; anexecutable portion configured to electronically receive, from a seconduser device associated with a second user, a request to complete aresource transfer, wherein the request comprises an identification ofthe digital resource and an identification of a current owner of the NFTassociated with the digital resource; an executable portion configuredto transfer ownership of the NFT associated with the digital resourcefrom the current owner to the second user; and an executable portionconfigured to transmit, to a managing entity system, instructions totransfer, from an account associated with the second user, a firstamount of financial resources to an account associated with the currentowner and a second amount of financial resources to an accountassociated with the first user, wherein the combination of the firstamount and the second amount is equal to the value of the NFT.
 9. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, further comprising an executableportion configured to store the NFT on a distributed ledger.
 10. Thecomputer program product of claim 8, wherein the set of distributionrules comprises a predetermined percentage of the value of the NFT, andwherein the second amount of financial resources transferred to theaccount associated with the first user comprises the predeterminedpercentage of the value of the NFT.
 11. The computer program product ofclaim 8, wherein the set of distribution rules comprises a transferlimitation of a number of times that ownership of the NFT may betransferred to a new user.
 12. The computer program product of claim 11,further comprising an executable portion configured to determine thatthe resource transfer will not cause the number of transfers ofownership of the NFT to exceed the transfer limitation.
 13. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein predicting, via the machine learningengine, the value of the NFT comprises applying one or more machinelearning algorithms to a plurality of historical data.
 14. The computerprogram product of claim 13, wherein predicting, via the machinelearning engine, the value of the NFT further comprises calculating alevel of similarity between the NFT and a plurality of other NFTscomprised in the historical data.
 15. A computer-implemented method forresource origination tracking, the method comprising: electronicallyreceiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, adigital resource and a set of distribution rules associated with thedigital resource; creating an NFT associated with the digital resource;predicting, via a machine learning engine, a value of the NFT;electronically receiving, from a second user device associated with asecond user, a request to complete a resource transfer, wherein therequest comprises an identification of the digital resource and anidentification of a current owner of the NFT associated with the digitalresource; transferring ownership of the NFT associated with the digitalresource from the current owner to the second user; and transmitting, toa managing entity system, instructions to transfer, from an accountassociated with the second user, a first amount of financial resourcesto an account associated with the current owner and a second amount offinancial resources to an account associated with the first user,wherein the combination of the first amount and the second amount isequal to the value of the NFT.
 16. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 15, further comprising storing the NFT on a distributed ledger.17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the set ofdistribution rules comprises a predetermined percentage of the value ofthe NFT, and wherein the second amount of financial resourcestransferred to the account associated with the first user comprises thepredetermined percentage of the value of the NFT.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the set of distributionrules comprises a transfer limitation of a number of times thatownership of the NFT may be transferred to a new user.
 19. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 18, further comprising determiningthat the resource transfer will not cause the number of transfers ofownership of the NFT to exceed the transfer limitation.
 20. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein predicting, via themachine learning engine, the value of the NFT comprises applying one ormore machine learning algorithms to a plurality of historical data andcalculating a level of similarity between the NFT and a plurality ofother NFTs comprised in the historical data.